Pearl slide shortener and pin adaptor



D 1965 E. BOHLINGER ETAL 3,

PEARL SLIDE SHQRTENER AND PIN ADAPTOR Filed June-15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheetl Il '1 INVENTOR. I 48 H RN67' BOhL/NGER 1 gflNl/L'L FRIEDMAN ATTDRNE 5.

De 1965 E. BOHLINGER ETAL 3,225,565

PEARL SLIDE SHORTENER AND PIN ADAPTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 15,1964 INVENTOR. ERNST .BOHUNGER ,s/mua rmeomuv ATT United States Patent3,225,565 PEARL SLIDE SHQRTENER AND PEN ADAPTOR Ernst Bohlinger, 31-1525th Ave, Astoria, N.Y., and Samuel Friedman, 425 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn,N.Y. Filed lane 15, 1964, Ser. No. 375,147 11 Claims. (Cl. 632) Thisinvention relates generally to the art of jewelry and more particularlyto a clasp for adjusting the loop length of a string of pearls or anecklace and for supporting an ornamental article of jewelry such as abrooch, breastpin and the like, and this invention is an improvementover the disclosures of our copending applications Serial Numbers283,281, now Patent No. 3,168,768; 313,549, now Patent No. 3,181,217;322,914; and 355,123.

\Vhen a string of pearls is worn around the neck, it is difficult toadjust the size of the string to the size of the neck of the wearer.With this in mind, it is the principal object of the present inventionto provide a clasp for readily forming a loop in a string of pearls ofany desired size to accommodate and adjust the string to the size of theneck of the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp of this kind thatserves to support removably an ornamental article of jewelry, such as abrooch or breastpin for enhancing the attractiveness of the string ofpearls.

A further object according to a modification of the invention is toprovide a slide lock for an article of jewelry or a belt buckle that issimple in construction and positive in action.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a lock for an articleof jewelry or a belt buckle with a slidable plate for holding the partsin interlocked relation.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a string of pearls with a clasp embodyingone form of the invention applied thereto.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the clasp in open distendedposition.

FIG. 3 is a view looking from the left of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the clasp supporting a brooch.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a spread perspective view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a modified form of brooch.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a fragment of a string of pearls with aclasp and modified form of brooch applied thereto.

FIG. 8a is a top perspective view of locking mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a disassembled perspective view thereof.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are sectional views taken on the lines 1t 1tl and 1111,respectively of FIG. 9.

Referring now in detail to the drawings in FIG. 1, a string of pearls 10is illustrated with a clasp 12 embodying the invention in position toform a loop 14 in the string. The length of the loop is adapted to beadjusted by moving the clasp along the string.

The clasp 12, as best shown in FIG. 2, is formed of spring sheet metaland comprises an elongated split tubular body 16 with depending legs 18,20 at the ends thereof. The legs are constituted by juxtaposed plates22, 22 extending downwardly in the plane of the body 16, the platesbeing formed with feet 24, 24 extending oppositely 3,225,565 PatentedDec. 28, I965 at right angles to the plane of the plates. The plates arenormally closely spaced from each other as shown in FIG. 3.

A horizontally disposed plate 26 is slidably supported by the leg 20.The plate 26 has a rectangular body with the long edges thereof turnedover forming flanges 28, 23 which with the body of the plate form atrackway 39, along which the feet 24, 24 of the legs slide. One end ofthe body is upturned forming a flange 32 acting as a stop. The flangeterminating in a loop 34 opening downwardly serves as a finger piece formanipulating the slidable plate. An upstanding lug 36 is formed alongone of the flanges 28 of the plate and a laterally extending lug 38 isformed along the edge of one of the plates 22 constituting the leg 20 atthe bottom thereof.

In use, the clasp is opened by sliding the plate 26 to the right asviewed in FIG. 2, such sliding movement being limited by the lug 38 onthe leg 20 disposed in the path of movement of lug 36 on the plate. Thisleaves an opening in the clasp between the legs 13 and 20 in which isplaced the reaches of the string of pearls It) whereupon the plate 26 isslid back toward the leg 13, the feet 24 of the leg riding in thetrackway 3t) of the plate and the walls of the trackway squeezing theplates 22 of the leg 18 together to permit the plate to slide toeffective locking position. The clasps can thus be positioned at anypoint along the string of pearls needed to fit the string to the size ofthe neck of the wearer. The bottom surface of the plae 26 may beornamented as indicated at 40.

The clasp 12 is also adapted to serve as an adapter to support anornamental article of jewelry, such as a brooch or breastpin 40 shown inFIGS. 4 to 6, inclusive. The brooch 40 comprises a substantiallyrectangular-shaped body in the form of a plate 42 slightly curved orbowed transversely and formed at one end with a reduced portion 44 onwhich is formed a pair of closed spaced dependent perforated ears 4d, 46to support a pivot pin 48 which in turn supports one looped end 54] ofan elongated fastening pin 52. The other end of the plate 42 is alsoformed with a reduced portion 54 extending at right angles to the planeof the plate. A bifurcated latch member 56 is formed on the outer freeend of the portion 54 for receiving the free pointed end of fasteningpin 52 between the bifurcations of the latch for securing the ornamenton the clasp.

When the clasp is used as an adapter, the fastening pin 52 is insertedthrough the tubular body 16 of the clasp and the free pointed endsecured to the latch member 56 holding the brooch on the clasp. Theplate 42 may be formed of valuable metal or may have its outer surfaceornamented.

In FIG. 7, a modified form of brooch 46' is shown wherein the body isformed with serrations 60 and extends beyond the dependent ears 46 andlatch supporting portion 54'.

When the clasp 12 is used as an adapter the ornamental article ofjewelry such as the brooch 40 or 40' is placed on the outside of thestring of pearls so that the ornamental appearance of the article ofjewelry enhances the appearance of the string of jewels.

In FIG. 8, a modified form of combined clasp and adapter 12a is shownapplied to a string of pearls ltla. The clasp unit of the device 12a issimilar to clasp 12 and a single reach of the string of pearls isreceived in the space between the legs thereof. The end of the otherreach of the pearls is hooked in an eye 64 formed on one end of the bodyof a modified form of ornamental brooch 49a supported by the clasp unit.

Referring now to the modification of the invention shown in FIGS. 8a to11, inclusive, herein locking mechanism indicated generally at 76 isillustrated for jewelry or belt buckles. The locking mechanism comprisesbroadly a stationary plate 72, with associated movable parts, and aslidable plate 74 for covering and holding the parts together.

The plate 72 has a rectangular-shaped sheet metal body. Along one longedge of the body, there is a series of three upstanding hooked lugs, twoend lugs 76, 76 and an intermediate lug 78 spaced from each other, thehooks 80 extending outwardly of the body of the lugs at right anglesthereto. A similar series of hooked lugs, end lugs 84, 84 andintermediate lug 86 is formed on the other long edge of the body inspaced relation and in opposed relation to the lugs on the other side,the hooks 88 extending outwardly.

A portion of the material of the body of plate 72 in line with theintermediate lugs 78 and 86 is instruck and bent toward the intermediatelug 78, forming a loop 90, the loop 90 and lug 78, with plate 72,defining a space 92.

A pair of rectangular-shaped bearing or supporting plates 94 and 96 arepivotally connected to the intermediate lugs 78 and 86, respectively.The plates are each bent at the extremities thereof forming flanges 98thereat and each is formed along one long side midway its ends, with aperforated lug 100, the intermediate lug extending through theperforation in the lug 100, constituting the connection between theplate 72 and plates 94 and 96. The lug 100 of plate 94 is positioned inthe space between the lug 78 and the loop 90 so that the plate 94 cannotbe removed. Plate 96 may be removed by slipping it over lug 86. The lugsare covered and the plate 96 prevented from removal from the plate 72 bymeans of the plate 74. Plate 74 has a body similar in shape to the bodyof plate 72 and is provided with inturned long edges forming flanges102, 102 spaced from the body of the plate thereby forming grooves 104,104. At one end, the inner end as viewed in FIG. 11, the body of plate74 is formed with a downwardly extending central lug 106 and at theother end, is formed with an upstanding central lug 108. When the plates94 and 96 are in operative position on the intermediate lugs 78 and 86,the plate 74 is adapted to slide on the hooks of the side lugs, overplate 72, the hooks of the lugs riding in the grooves 104,104.

In assembling, the end of plate 74 is inserted over the end hooks 80 and88 and the plate slid over the remaining hooks until the lug 106 engagesan upstanding inverted U-shaped lug 110 on one end of the body of plate72, the lug 110 serving as a stop and as a finger piece for manipulatingthe plate 72.

In use, the ends of a flexible piece of jewelry or the ends of a beltare secured to the plates 94 and 96 in any suitable manner and the endsare locked together by the mechanism 7 0.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of ourinvention, it i to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes andmodifications may be made within the scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising anelongated tubular body having a through bore, legs depending from theends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs, and aplate slidably supported on the feet of one of the legs, said plateadapted to be retracted from the feet of the other leg to provide aclearance for receiving a string of pearls and adapted to be moved intointerlocking relation with other feet for securing the string of pearlsin place, said through bore adapted to receive a portion of a brooch.

2. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising anelongated tubular body having a through bore, legs depending from theends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs, and aplate slidably supported on the feet of one of the legs, said plateadapted to be retracted from the feet of the other leg to provide aclearance for receiving a string of pearls and adapted to be moved intointerlocking relation with other feet for securing the string of pearlsin place, and means on the plate and on said one leg for limiting themovements of the plate, said through bore adapted to receive a portionof a brooch.

3. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising anelongated tubular body having a through bore, legs depending from theends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs, and aplate slidably supported on the feet of one of the legs, said plateadapted to be retracted from the feet of the other leg to provide aclearance for receiving a string of pearls and adapted to be moved intointerlocking relation with other feet for securing the string of pearlsin place, an upstanding lug on the plate and a lateral lug on said oneleg in the path of movement of the upstanding lug, for limiting themovements of the plate, said through bore adapted to receive a portionof a brooch.

4. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising anelongated split tubular body having a through bore, legs depending fromthe ends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs and alate slidably supported on one of the legs, said plate adapted to beretracted from the other leg to provide a clearance for receiving astring of pearls and adapted to be moved into interlocking relation withsaid other leg for securing the string of pearls in place, said throughbore adapted to receive a portion of a brooch.

5. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising anelongated split tubular body having a through bore, a pair of integralplates depending from the ends of the body, said plates constitutingjuxtaposed legs closely spaced from each other, feet on the bottom endsof the legs extending outwardly in opposed relation, a plate slidablysupported on the feet of one pair of plates, said slidable plate havinginturned flanges along the long edges thereof providing groovestherealong slidably supported on the feet of said one pair of plates,said flanges adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with thefeet of the other pair of plates for securing a string of pearls placedbetween the legs, the outer surface of said slidable plate beingdecorated, said through bore adapted to receive a portion of a brooch.

6. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising anelongated split tubular body having a through bore, a pair of integralplates depending from the ends of the body, said plates constitutingjuxtaposed legs closely spaced from each other, feet on the bottom endsof the legs extending outwardly in opposed relation, a plate slidablysupported on the feet of one pair of plates, said slidable plate havinginturned flanges along the long edges thereof providing grooves therealong slidably supported on the feet of said one pair of plates, saidflanges adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with the feet ofthe other pair of plates for securing a string of pearls placed betweenthe legs, the outer surface of said slidable plate being decorated, andcoacting lugs on the slidable plate and said one pair of plates forlimiting the movements of the slidable plate, said through bore adaptedto receive a portion of a brooch.

7. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising anelongated split tubular body having a through bore, a pair of integralplates depending from the ends of the body, said plates constitutingjuxtaposed legs closely spaced from each other, feet on the bottom endsof the legs extending outwardly in opposed relation, a plate slidablysupported on the feet of one pair of plates, said slidable plate havinginturned flanges along the long edges thereof providing groovestherealong slidably supported on the feet of said one pair of plates,said flanges adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with thefeet of the other pair of plates for securing a string of pearls plawdbetween the legs, the outer surface of said slidable plate beingdecorated, and a finger piece on one end of the slidable plate formanipulating said plate, said through bore adapted to receive a portionof a brooch.

3. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising anelongated split tubular body having a through bore, legs depending fromthe ends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs and aplate slidably supported on one of the legs, said plate adapted to beretracted from the other leg to provide a clearance for receiving astring of pearls and adapted to be moved into interlocking relation withsaid other leg for securing the string of pearls in place, and a broochhaving an elongated fastening pin detachably inserted in said tubularbody, said brooch having means for preventing accidental removal fromthe clasp.

9. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising anelongated split tubular body having a through bore, legs depending fromthe ends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs and aplate slidably supported on one of the legs, said plate adapted to beretracted from the other leg to provide a clearance for receiving astring of pearls and adapted to be moved into interlocking relation withsaid other leg for securing the string of pearls in place, and a broochhaving an elongated curved body and having an elongated fastening pindetachably inserted in said tubular body, said brooch having means forpreventing accidental removal from the clasp.

10. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising anelongated split tubular body having a through bore, legs depending fromthe ends of the body,

feet radiating from the bottom of the legs and a plate slidablysupported on one of the legs, said plate adapted to be retracted fromthe other leg to provide a clearance for receiving a string of pearlsand adapted to be moved into interlocking relation with said other legfor securing the string of pearls in place, and a brooch having anelongated serrated body and having an elongated fastening pin detachablyinserted in said tubular body, said brooch having means for preventingaccidental removal from the clasp.

11. A jewelry clasp for adjusting the length of a necklace comprising anelongated split tubular body having a through bore, legs depending fromthe ends of the body, feet radiating from the bottom of the legs and aplate slidably supported on one of the legs, said plate adapted to beretracted from the other leg to provide a clearance for receiving astring of pearls and adapted to be moved into interlocking relation withsaid other leg for securing the string of pearls in place, and a broochhaving an elongated serrated body, an elongated fastening pin detachablyinserted in said tubular body, means on the body for preventingaccidental removal of the brooch from the clasp and an eye on one end ofthe brooch body for securing one end of a string of pearls thereto.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,246,911 11/1917Goozey 24238 2,239,304 3/1941 Stell 24238 2,930,209 3/1960 Altman 631FOREIGN PATENTS 513,012 2/1955 Italy.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

1. A JEWELRY CLASP FOR ADJUSTING THE LENGTH OF A NECKLACE COMPRISING ANELONGATED TUBULAR BODY HAVING A THROUGH BORE, LEGS DEPENDING FROM THEENDS OF THE BODY, FEET RADIATING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE LEGS, AND APLATE SLIDABLY SUPPORTED ON THE FEET OF ONE OF THE LEGS, SAID PLATEADAPTED TO BE RETRACTED FROM THE FEET OF THE OTHER LEG TO PROVIDE ACLEARANCE FOR RECEIVING A STRING OF PEARLS AND ADAPTED TO BE MOVED INTOINTERLOCKING RELATION WITH OTHER FEET FOR SECURING THE STRING OF PEARLSIN PLACE, SAID THROUGH BORE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A PORTION OF A BROOCH.